trite

[ trahyt ]

adjective

, trit·er, trit·est.

1. lacking in freshness or effectiveness because of constant use or excessive repetition; hackneyed; stale:

   the trite phrases in his letter.

   Synonyms: ordinary

   Antonyms: original

2. characterized by hackneyed expressions, ideas, etc.:

   The commencement address was trite and endlessly long.

3. Archaic. rubbed or worn by use.

trite

/ traɪt /

adjective

1. hackneyed; dull

   a trite comment

2. archaic.
   frayed or worn out

Derived Forms

• ˈtritely, adverb
• ˈtriteness, noun

Other Words From

• tritely adverb
• triteness noun
• un·trite adjective
• un·tritely adverb
• un·triteness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of trite¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin trītus “worn, common,” past participle of terere “to rub, wear down”

Word History and Origins

Origin of trite¹

C16: from Latin trītus worn down, from terere to rub

Synonym Study

See commonplace.

Example Sentences

It’s a trite question, but a deadly one.

From Salon

It’s also a tender tale about the perils and promises of starting over that owes as much to Mexico’s trite telenovelas as it does to its big-hearted melodramas.

From Los Angeles Times

To say there even is such a thing reduces a wildly diverse group into a trite narrative that I’ve spent my career trying to debunk, when not ridiculing it altogether.

From Los Angeles Times

Not because it wasn’t true, but because it was so predictable and trite.

From Los Angeles Times

For decades, the powers that be have told a very specific narrative about us: triumphalist and trite, self-congratulatory and sappy, while staying far away from our difficult parts.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• banal
• corny
• dull
• hackneyed